Corner cracking model for non-uniform corrosion-caused deterioration of concrete covers

Abstract

The failure of concrete covers due to corrosion of the corner rebars is different from that of the interior rebars. To date, there is no specific analytical model for simulating corner cracking in the literature. In response, this paper proposes a novel analytical model, which considers both the non-uniform distribution of rust and the boundary conditions of the cover surface, to study the process and propagation of corner cracking. This nondestructive evaluation method is capable of obtaining the volume of corroded steel by measuring the bulging of the cover surface and/or the crack opening. This model has been verified by comparing the analytical results with the numerical results. Using the verified analytical model, the effects of the tensile strength of concrete, cover thickness, rebar diameter and diagonal crack angle on the bulging of the cover surface and crack opening are studied, which provide useful information for the design and prediction of the service life and crack width in reinforced concrete structures.